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Why we love the Broads

The Broads is a breath of fresh air, in more ways than one. Its idyllic countryside is webbed with lakes, fens and rivers: a haven for animals and adventure-seekers alike. This remarkable terrain straddles the border between Norfolk and Suffolk – and there’s nowhere else like it in Britain.

It’s these waterways – known as ‘broads’ – which give the park both its name and its natural diversity. As the country’s largest protected wetland, its marshes and coast are home to more than a quarter of Britain’s rarest animals, with grey seals, red deer and a rainbow of birds year-round.

Surprisingly, the Broads boasts more waterways than Venice and Amsterdam, with a whopping 125 miles (200km) of lock-free rivers and lakes to kayak, cruise, sail and paddle – not to mention its coast. If that floats your boat, read on…

Things to do in The Broads

Take to the helm of your very own boat to explore this glorious waterway.

Discover the beautiful Broads by boat

Norfolk Broads Direct

A family riding on a boat in the Norfolk Broads
Boat hire in the Broads

Enter the forest of family fun – with treehouses, wobbly wires, storytelling, boat rides, marsh walks and more.

Go wild for BeWILDerwood

journeyof_maisonmorgan

Person in raincoat pushing buggy along trail in woodland
BeWILDerwood

Enjoy walking and bird-watching where the Broads meet the coast, in this secluded part of Norfolk.

Walk on the wild side at Horsey

norfolkbeachbarn

Bird watching at Cley & Salthouse marshes
Horsey

Thrillseekers, you’ll love the 90-year-old wooden rollercoaster in this seaside theme park.

Get your tickets for Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach

@gypbeach

View to a fairground ride at Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach
Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach

Explore the largest of the Broads: it’s a year-round haven for wildlife, including kingfishers, cranes and marsh harriers.

Make a splash at Hickling Broad

lukephotoslondon

Sunset over Hickling Broad
Hickling Broad

Take to the helm of your very own boat to explore this glorious waterway.

Discover the beautiful Broads by boat

Norfolk Broads Direct

A family riding on a boat in the Norfolk Broads
Boat hire in the Broads

Enter the forest of family fun – with treehouses, wobbly wires, storytelling, boat rides, marsh walks and more.

Go wild for BeWILDerwood

journeyof_maisonmorgan

Person in raincoat pushing buggy along trail in woodland
BeWILDerwood

Enjoy walking and bird-watching where the Broads meet the coast, in this secluded part of Norfolk.

Walk on the wild side at Horsey

norfolkbeachbarn

Bird watching at Cley & Salthouse marshes
Horsey

Thrillseekers, you’ll love the 90-year-old wooden rollercoaster in this seaside theme park.

Get your tickets for Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach

@gypbeach

View to a fairground ride at Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach
Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach

Explore the largest of the Broads: it’s a year-round haven for wildlife, including kingfishers, cranes and marsh harriers.

Make a splash at Hickling Broad

lukephotoslondon

Sunset over Hickling Broad
Hickling Broad

Places to stay in The Broads

Homely houseboats

To get to the heart of the Broads, stay on the water – whether in a luxurious floating hotel, cosy houseboat or private cruiser.

Boutique hotels

Love your creature comforts? For fabulous décor, excellent food and a very warm welcome, boutique hotels are a top choice.

Self-catering cottages

Live the dream in your very own cottage, lodge or waterside cabin. The Broads has holiday rentals to suit every style and budget.

Explore nearby

The city of Cambridge is a hotbed of history, architecture and innovation.

Shutterstock/Pajor Pawel

View of college in Cambridge with people punting on River

An unmissable destination for travellers, London is a melting pot of history, culture and green spaces.

VisitBritain/Hazel Parreno

Picadilly Circus underground station

From ice-cream parlours to sea food festivals, the ‘Garden of England’ is meant for discovery.

VisitBritain/Dipyourtoesin

Kent

Man and woman walking between vines at a vineyard

Getting to The Broads

Norwich, the region’s largest city, can be reached by train from London Liverpool Street (one hour 40 minutes), London Stansted Airport (one hour 40 minutes) and Gatwick Airport (three hours). Alternatively, Norwich International Airport has direct flights from several European destinations, while Harwich Harbour (a 90-minute drive from Norwich) has ferry connections to Holland.

Getting around

There’s no need for a car in the Broads: the local trains, buses and cycle paths are convenient and well-connected, with Bittern Line trains serving the northern region, and the Wherry Line for southern and central. Regular ferries and river taxis traverse the waterways, and there are several free car parks too.

By boat

Whether you’re at the helm of a cruiser, kicking back on a boat tour, or splashing around in a kayak, the water’s where it’s at.

By bike

Exploring by bike is always an adventure, and you’ll find cycle hire and guided tours throughout the national park.

By steam train

The Bure Valley Railway runs from Aylsham to Wroxham – where you can pick up buses and boats to the rest of the Broads.

Want to know more?

Head to the national park’s official website to get the latest travel news and insider tips.